Items related to Bones: The Unity of Form and Function
Synopsis
Assembled by a team of world class scientists and artists, this book looks at the marvels of adaptation through natural selection - the unity of form and function in the vertebrae skeleton - everything from fish to primates including us, Homo Sapiens. The text provides readers with a thought-provoking demonstration of how each bone is perfectly adapted to the purpose it serves. It contains 140 specially commissioned photographs.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
R. McNeil Alexander is Deputy Head of the Department of Pure and Applied Biology at the University of Leeds, England. Considered the world's foremost authority on animal mechanics, he has received several prestigious awards, including the Scientific Medal from the Zoological Society of London.
From Library Journal
The configuration of bones and skeletons offers compelling examples of engineering principles and design. Evolution has produced countless variations of features and functions based on the same basic parts of the skeleton, and so bats suspend their wings on long fingers while monkeys use their fingers for grasping, and horses run on one enlarged toe with nothing but remnant slivers of bone to show that their ancestors ever had more. This volume's 140 elegant photos illustrate some of these amazing adaptations (no diagrams of muscles or living animals intrude on the macabre purity of the bones themselves). The discussion focuses on engineering aspects such as the trade-off between strength and lightness, how joints are constructed, how bones adapt as an animal grows, and the uses for different shapes of teeth. It's an eye-opening and visually beautiful synthesis of ideas about ecology, evolution, and engineering.?Amy Brunvand, Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherOrion Publishing Co
- Publication date1994
- ISBN 10 029783326X
- ISBN 13 9780297833260
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Edition number1
- Rating
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Bones
Published by
Orion Publishing Group, Limited, 1994
ISBN 10: 029783326X
ISBN 13: 9780297833260
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. 1st. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP23690571
Quantity: 1 available
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Bones: The Unity of Form and Function
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR006683029
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Bones: The Unity of Form and Function
Published by
Orion Publishing Co, 1994
ISBN 10: 029783326X
ISBN 13: 9780297833260
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Ohkwaho Books and Fine Art, Oakville, ON, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. 1st Edition. This book has been read, some water damage to bottom edge of back cover, some minor water damage to bottom of last few inner pages. No text or images damaged. No other markings inner pages. Spine intact, no creases. "Few objects in nature display the perfect unity of form and function found in the vertebrate skeleton. Ingeniously designed by the processes of evolution, bones are marvels of engineering.In tribute to both the beauty and mechanics of its subject, Bones explores the structure, material, and movement of bones. It examines the miraculous composition of bone material. It looks at the joints and muscle attachments that allow for movement, including such elaborate mechanisms as fish jaws, rattlesnake fangs, and a lion's retractable claws. It shows how the same bone is shaped to wildly differently ends in a variety of animals. A wealth of specially commissioned color plates shows bones as they have seldom been seen before. The luminous images range from the unusual (the skeleton of a pygmy flying squirrel) to the ordinary (the tailbones of a domestic cat), and from the enormous (the vertebra of a dinosaur) to the minuscule (the acoustic bones of a desert kangaroo rat). With its blend of lively science and unexpected beauty, Bones leaves readers with insight into the workings of the skeleton, and a sense of wonder at its intricacy." Good Reads "Robert McNeill (Neill) Alexander, CBE FRS (7 July 1934 21 March 2016) was a British zoologist and a leading authority in the field of biomechanics. For thirty years he was Professor of Zoology at the University of Leeds." Wikipedia. Seller Inventory # 157-2023
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Bones: The Unity of Form and Function
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
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Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. NOT AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. Seller Inventory # A15E-01318
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Bones: The Unity of Form and Function
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Condition: Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Dust jacket in fair condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,1600grams, ISBN:9780297833260. Seller Inventory # 9431469
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Bones: The Unity of Form and Function
Published by
Orion Publishing Co, UK, 1994
ISBN 10: 029783326X
ISBN 13: 9780297833260
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Anytime Books, London, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Alexander is a reliable authority. pp223. Illus. DW in archival sleeve. Sunned spine. Seller Inventory # 014273
Quantity: 1 available
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Bones: The Unity of Form and Function
Seller: dsmbooks, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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hardcover. Condition: Acceptable. Acceptable. book. Seller Inventory # D8S0-3-M-029783326X-4
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